Robust Washable Tags Using A Large Area Antenna Conductor

ABSTRACT

Robust merchandise tags, patches, inlays and labels are provided for mounting on garments, fabrics, apparel accessories and other flexible merchandising materials. These are robust enough to withstand processing during manufacturing, including steps such as machine washing, stone washing and chemical treatments, while being capable of remaining on the garment, fabric or the like during inventory handling, merchandising and consumer use. The robust merchandise tags combine a hybrid-slot loop antenna structure with an uncharacteristically large area conductor sheet in the nature of a foil or the like. Overlaminations and fold-over portions also can be included for robustness enhancement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority of U.S. Application No.61/838,668 filed Jun. 24, 2013 which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present subject matter relates to tags, for example those used inmerchandising or retailing applications. More particularly, the presentsubject matter relates to antennae assemblies employing wirelesscommunication approaches such as radio frequency identification (“RFID”)technology useful in the context of consumer goods production,processing and merchandising, as well providing services to the end userof the item by functioning as a security and/or identification tag inthe form of an identification label, patch, decorative component or thelike and especially suitable for clothing and which may be used forinventory, security, compliance and tracking.

2. Description of Related Art

Devices incorporating wireless communication approaches including RFIDtechnology are widely used for a variety of different applications,including inventory control, tracking, guard and security systems aswell as providing access to services such as access control and loyaltybased rewards. Such systems are well known in the retail industry,including in connection with clothing inventory control and securityfrom theft and other losses.

Associating RFID devices with clothing for example worn by humans, thehuman can cause a reduction in performance of the RFID device enablingthe RFID device to only be read in a near field range as opposed to alonger range which of several meters which may be customary with RFIDdevices that are not interfered with.

RFID devices may have a variety of integrated components, among them aRFID chip containing data such as an identification code for the type ofproduct and even for the exact piece of goods associated with a uniqueidentification code. Other components include an antenna electricallyconnected to the RFID chip, which is responsible for transmittingsignals to and/or receiving signals from another RFID device, forexample, a RFID reader system.

In one example, a RFID reader is associated with a point-of-salelocation or check-out counter of a retail facility and detects the chipin a tag associated with a particular items such as consumer goods,which can include the register price of that item as well as otherdetails. In another example, an RFID-readable tag is attached to a pieceof merchandise or a consumer product in a retail facility, which tagsare scanned using an RFID reader to keep proper count of the productinventory and/or to be used as a security measure functioning as aso-called guard tag.

Antennas of this type include dipole form antennas such as thoseillustrated in FIG. 2 wherein an RFID chip or strap 20 is in electroniccommunication with a dipole antenna 21 having radiating elements 22, 23on either side of the chip 20. Each radiating element is configured tofacilitate antenna performance.

In some circumstances, the antenna component takes the form of a hybridloop-slot antenna or slot-loop hybrid antenna, at times referred to as a“sloop” antenna, as shown in FIG. 1. A variation is a hybridloop-aperture antenna. Configurations of these types of hybrid or sloopantennas are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,343 and No. 8,072,334,incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. It will beappreciated that the slot configurations shown therein may be used asaperture configurations for a conductive sheet.

SUMMARY

There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may beembodied separately or together in the devices and systems described andclaimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combinationwith other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and thedescription of these aspects together is not intended to preclude theuse of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspectsseparately or in different combinations as may be set forth in theclaims appended hereto.

In one embodiment of the present invention a robust RFID device is usedin connection with consumers and may be worn or utilized with thegarment or apparel item after it has left the retailing or merchandisingestablishment. For example, a item of clothing such as a uniform couldbe used to track an individual while performing custodial services andshow the location of the individual. In another embodiment, the robustRFID device can be used with a patron of a particular event, such as ata sporting event, concert or the like, thereby enabling the individualto gain entry to the event as well as to make purchases during the eventsuch as food, souvenirs and the like. The robust tag in a still furtherembodiment could be used for “fast track” or “TSA pre-Check”applications at an airport allowing security personnel to quickly verifydata associated with the individual.

In order to work in an improved state in the above-mentionedembodiments, the RFID device can be provided with an additionaldielectric material to aid in reducing the interference between the RFIDchip/antenna and the individual wearing the garment.

In one aspect, a robust merchandise tag, patch, label, inlay or the likecomprises a substrate and an RFID device including a slot-loop hybridantenna, disposed on the substrate. The RFID device has a large areaconductor sheet or foil and an elongated slot fully interior of theconductive sheet except for an open end or branch of the slot. Awireless communication device electronically couples opposing sides ofthe slot at a first location, a closed end of the slot being at a secondlocation. The sidewalls of the slot define an average slot width, andthe large-area conductor sheet extends substantially uninterrupted fromthe slot sidewalls and the slot closed end to the conductive materialperipheral edge for a distance greater than the average width of theslot.

In another aspect, a robust merchandise tag, patch, label, inlay or thelike comprises a substrate and an RFID device including a slot-loophybrid antenna having a large area conductor sheet or foil and anelongated slot fully interior of the conductive sheet except for an openend or branch of the slot. A wireless communication deviceelectronically couples opposing sides of the slot at a first location atthe open end of the slot, a closed end of the slot being at a secondlocation. The sidewalls of the slot define an average slot width, andthe large-area conductor sheet extends substantially uninterrupted fromthe slot sidewalls and the slot closed end to the conductive materialperipheral edge for a distance greater than the average width of theslot.

In a further aspect, a robust merchandise tag, patch, label, inlay orthe like comprises a substrate and an RFID device including a slot-loophybrid antenna having a large area conductor sheet or foil and anelongated slot fully interior of the conductive sheet except for an openend or branch of the slot. A wireless communication deviceelectronically couples opposing sides of the slot at a first locationalong the length of the slot between the open end and a closed end ofthe slot, referred to as a second location. The sidewalls of the slotdefine an average slot width, and the large-area conductor sheet extendssubstantially uninterrupted from the slot sidewalls and the slot closedend to the conductive material peripheral edge for a distance greaterthan the average width of the slot.

In an additional aspect, a robust merchandise tag, patch, label, inlayor the like comprises a substrate and an RFID device including aslot-loop hybrid antenna having a large area conductor sheet or foil andan elongated slot fully interior of the conductive sheet except for anopen end or branch of the slot. A wireless communication deviceelectronically couples opposing sides of the slot at a first location, aclosed end of the slot being at a second location. The first locationand the second location generally coincide with each other. Thesidewalls of the slot define an average slot width, and the large-areaconductor sheet extends substantially uninterrupted from the slotsidewalls and the slot closed end to the conductive material peripheraledge for a distance greater than the average width of the slot.

In yet an added aspect, a robust merchandise tag, patch, label, inlay orthe like comprises a substrate and an RFID device including a slot-loophybrid antenna having a large area conductor sheet or foil and anelongated slot fully interior of the conductive sheet except for an openend or branch of the slot. A wireless communication deviceelectronically couples opposing sides of the slot at a first location, aclosed end of the slot being at a second location. The sidewalls of theslot define an average slot width, and the large-area conductor sheetextends substantially uninterrupted from the slot sidewalls and the slotclosed end to the conductive material peripheral edge for a distance atleast two times, three times, four times, five times or more greaterthan the average width of the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a hybrid loop-slot or slot-loop hybrid antennastructured in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a prior art dipole-form antenna illustrating aproperty of same;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a robust merchandise tag, partially brokenaway, with antenna being an embodiment according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a merchandise tag, partially cut away, havingprior art dipole-form antenna illustrating a property of same;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an RFID tag according to the present disclosurethat illustrates a hybrid loop-slot antenna advantageous property;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a slot-loop hybridantenna according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a hybrid loop-slotantenna according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a plan view of another embodiment of a loop-slot antenna withan additional capacitive element to establish tuning;

FIG. 7B is a plan view of another embodiment of a loop-slot antennashowing a bridging element;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an in-process merchandise tag according to afurther embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an elevation end view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, shown inits assembled condition;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section through the embodiment of FIG. 9 along theline 10-10;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another embodiment of a merchandise tag withan RFID device of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an embodiment of an antenna according to thepresent disclosure with its over-laminated structure merchandise tag;

FIG. 13 is a plot showing sensitivity versus frequency for themerchandise tag and antenna configuration illustrated in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an embodiment of an antenna according to thepresent invention with an additional dielectric layer; and

FIG. 14A is a side elevation view of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention in virtually any appropriate manner.

The tags disclosed herein are both robust and washable and can have arelatively low thickness. Alternatively, a relatively thin dielectricmaterial can be added to the tag in order to increase performance whenthe tag is used in an after retail environment.

Tags having these properties, enables the tags to be especially suitablefor use as labels, patches, tags, decorative overlays and the like forgarments and allows the tag to be worn with the garment relativelycomfortably and without notice by the consumer. Garments can besubjected to processing, including washing and so-called “stone washing”during their processing or production. When thus used, the tags arerobust and durable, especially with respect to potential breakage of theantenna conductor and can undergo the rigors of such manufacturing andprocessing. The present RFID tags are capable of withstanding washingand other processes such as stone washing without having to incorporatematerial that adds excessive thickness, such as overlaminates, whichwould make the tags stiffer than desired, also likely impacting garmentwearability. For example, this form of RFID tag is well suited toinclusion in all forms of patches or other heat applied, sonic appliedor adhesive applied structures, such as for example heat transfers orembellishments. The RFID tags are useful as printed fabric labels orother embellishments such as patches and decorative components that areintended to stay with the garment during all stages of manufacture andusage. This allows, inter alia, improved processing and/or inventorycontrol to increase production efficiency.

In addition, the present RFID tags provide enhanced protection againstchemical and mechanical damage when incorporated into clothing or otherfabric or sheet stock items. Typical examples of processes includewashing, dyeing, stone washing and drying. These types of processes arepart of the manufacturing process and some or all may continue when theitems are in use. The present chips, RFID tags and antenna systems are“packaged” as noted herein.

The present RFID tags address a number of problems. One problem isdisruption of the antenna conductor by breakage, tearing or attack bywater or other chemical substance to which they are exposed duringmanufacturing, processing and use. Another problem that is addressed isthe disruption of the joint or connection between the antenna and theRFID chips. In some cases, a strap or interposer is used, and thepresent approach addresses the problem of damage to the connectionbetween the RFID chip and the strap, as well as damage to the connectionbetween the strap and antenna joints. Furthermore, the present approachaddresses physical damage to the RFID chip, such as cracking or crushingof the silicon (chip) structure. The various structures disclosed hereinare effective in reducing the above-noted problems and damages.

FIG. 1 illustrates an RFID device, generally designated as 31, whichincludes an antenna 32 that is of the hybrid loop-slot antenna type,generally referred to as a “sloop” antenna. The illustrated RFID devicehas a slot 33 that is located fully in the interior of a large-areaconductor sheet 34 that is made of electrically conductive material.This is to be as thin as possible and may be conductive foil forexample, e.g. aluminum, copper, etc. As illustrated, slot 33 has aclosed end 30 and is fully contained within the large-area conductorsheet 34, with the exception that slot 33 has an open end 35 that isneither closed by nor short-circuited with respect to the conductorsheet 34. Slot 33 can be cut from the sheet of conductive material ofthe conductor sheet 34 at various locations such as shown in the presentdrawings, with other configurations being available provided thelarge-area features herein are maintained. Cutting can be accomplishedvia mechanical die cutting, laser cutting or any other suitable means tocut and then remove the unwanted material.

A wireless communication device 36, typically an RFID chip, iselectrically coupled to the conductor sheet. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, this wireless communication device 36 iselectrically coupled to or by way of respective points that aregenerally called out at 37, 38 at locations at which the wirelesscommunication device is in operative electrical engagement with thelarge-area connector sheet 34. In this particular embodiment, points 37,38 are on opposing sides of the slot closely spaced from the open end 35of the slot. RFID chips can be variously configured, for exampleincluding an integrated circuit for controlling RF communication andother functions of the tag.

It will be appreciated from FIG. 1 that, with this form of antenna,there is a large proportion of the surface area covered by theconductor. Thus, the length of the area between the slot 33 and theconductor sheet perimeter is greater than the slot width, except at slotopen end 35. This greater length is at least two times, three times,four times, five times, six times, seven times, eight times, nine times,ten times or more than the slot width at its exterior. This has provento be resistant to damage in the following ways.

Large-area conductor sheet 34 is much more difficult to break than athin line or other structure in typical dipole form antennas 21 such asillustrated in FIG. 2. Breakage of the antenna conductor is less likelyto cause a critical reduction in antenna and hence RFID tag performance.For example, disconnection of the section denoted by line “aa” in FIG. 1will result in somewhat reduced performance; however, the RFID tagdevice will continue to operate. A similar disconnection when the dipoleform antenna denoted by line “bb” illustrated in FIG. 2. This wouldsever or at least severely damage one of the radiating elements 23,making that RFID tag potentially inoperative particularly in far fieldenvironments.

Another advantage of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 is depicted inFIG. 5. With the chip or interposer or wireless communication device 36coupled to the antenna 32, the large-area conductor sheet 34 serves tostiffen and protect the critical joint between the wirelesscommunication device and the antenna. For example, potentiallydestructive forces in the nature of stress or strain illustrated byarrows 39 are dissipated into the large area of the conductor sheet 34.It can be considered that these forces tend to emanate from the pointsof electrical coupling between the illustrated RFID device 36 and theconnector sheet 34 of the antenna 32.

A robust merchandise tag 41 of the present disclosure includes some formof overlamination 42, as schematically illustrated in partial form inFIG. 3. This overlamination 42 protects the wireless communicationdevice 36 and can protect some or all of the antenna 32 or just overportions of the chip/antenna connection area. When desired, theoverlamination 42 fully encapsulates the conductor 34 and its associatedcomponents including the slot 33 and the wireless communication device36, as well as whatever feature is used to electrically couple thewireless communication device and the conductor sheet together. Theoverlamination 42 can flow or mold into any gaps. Examples of theoverlamination material include a polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”)film attached by any suitable approach, sealant, adhesive, heat,pressure and/or sonic sealing or the like that will prevent orsubstantially reduce the ability of water or chemical agents, includingdetergents and processing chemicals, from compromising theoverlamination, resulting in damage to the robust merchandise tag, suchas conductor corrosion. Typically the overlayer will be a polymer thatprovides the needed resistance to unwanted incursion of outside elementsinto the tag.

Despite the objective of avoiding such unwanted incursions, one cannotbe certain that such incursions will be totally eliminated. In thatevent, the present robust merchandise tags exhibit the followingadvantage. For example, if over time a chemical agent or water ingressesinto the edge of the inlay, conductor corrosion will occur. FIG. 3illustrates this form of corrosion or damage, generally designated at43. As thus illustrated, the structure of the antenna is such that alarge area must experience such damage before the robust merchandise tagbecomes inoperative.

FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art antenna, the dipole antenna 21 protectedby an overlamination 42 a. When that overlamination is compromised bycorrosion or damage generally designated at 43 a, this antenna 21suffers a critical failure when subjected to the same degree of damageingress illustrated at 43. As illustrated, one of the radiating elementsor lines 22 is damaged by ingress 43 a, resulting in disconnection ofone of the lines or radiating elements 22.

The RFID device generally designated as 51 in FIG. 6 shows an alternatearrangement for placement of the wireless communication device 56,typically an RFID chip, at a different location along slot 53 having aclosed end 57. The wireless communication device 56 is electricallycoupled to the connector sheet 54 substantially in the same manner asdescribed in the other embodiments herein. With this FIG. 6 embodiment,an RFID chip and/or strap is positioned to a more central positionwithin the antenna structure, when compared with that of FIG. 1. Thisand other embodiments illustrate the great deal of flexibility as towhere the strap coupling position to the aperture in the conductor ismade, as well as where the aperture or slot is located. This allows thedevice designer to tailor these elements and their respective locationsin order to achieve both good radio frequency (“RF”) performance andmaximum protection to the RFID device and its connection to the antenna.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 illustrates a further alternative embodiment ofan RFID device generally designated at 61. In this arrangement, antenna62 has a wireless communication device 66, or reactive strap or RFIDchip coupled to the closed end 67 of the slot or aperture 63 formed inthe large-area conductor sheet 64. There is a strong magnetic fieldelement at this location. However, to establish the tuning of theantenna, capacitance is required near the slot or aperture; this iscreated by using an inter-digital structure, such as the inter-digitalcapacitor generally designated at 68 in FIG. 7. Alternatively, acapacitive component, such as a ceramic chip capacitor 29 can be used toestablish the tuning as shown in FIG. 7( a).

In another embodiment, the required capacitance can be achieved by usinga bridging element 28 of a suitable conductor such as aluminium foil,separated by a dielectric 25 from the conductive material on either sideof the aperture 33, forming two parallel plate capacitors, 26, 27 inseries. In a preferred embodiment, the dielectric is an adhesive 25printed or coated with a controlled thickness or foam material which maybe attached via an adhesive. This particular embodiment is illustratedin FIG. 7( b).

In a further alternative embodiment, the wireless communication devicecan be an RFID chip in a “package.” Examples of such packages are thosesupplied by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., such as the Type No. IM5-PK2525.Many such packaged devices add a level of robustness, especially whencombined with the robustness of the antenna structure described herein.This combination provides a very strong and robust structure suitablefor the most extreme forms of fabric preparation, such as stone washingduring processing when manufacturing denim items such as pants, jackets,shirts and the like.

A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. Inthese figures, a separate element is formed on the antenna substrateadjacent to the antenna substrate. This illustrated robust merchandisetag is generally illustrated as 71 and includes an RFID device generallydesignated as 70 and shown in an unassembled or condition or moreparticularly in a state which requires further conversion such as by alabel or tag converter to form a finished tag or label in FIG. 8 and inan assembled condition in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 when the substrate isformed into a finished label or tag that can then be attached to agarment, apparel item, accessory or the like. A fold-over portion 78supports the wireless communication device 76, which is positionedthereon, such that when the fold-over portion is folded along a linegenerally illustrated by fold line 79, alignment achieving propercoupling position is attained. The fold-over portion 78 can be acontinuation of, or a separate component from overlamination 75. Whenfolded over and secured together as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, thefold-over portion 78 results in the antenna 72 being sandwiched betweenan additional layer of protective material. When, as shown in FIG. 8,FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the fold-over portion 78 and overlamination 75 areof substantially the same size, an especially secure pocket or sandwichis provided after folding over and after securing together theoverlamination and fold-over portion, such as at 81. As used herein, thesubstrate on which the antenna is provided may be paper, plastic, fabricor any other suitable material that could be included in a garment orapparel item.

A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8( a). Here the additionaltuning element 82 at the aperture of the slot 33 is made using a bridge82, carried on the section of material 78 designed to be folded onto theantenna 34, which also carries a coupling element, such as a reactivestrap 80. The antenna 34 is coated with an adhesive 83 of definedthickness and properties so that in the folded state the capacitanceformed by the bridging element 82 is defined, as well as the couplingbetween the reactive strap 80 and the antenna 34, either in the form ofthe magnetic loop as illustrated, a component such as the Hitachipackaged chip or an element designed to be coupled capacitively.

With more particular reference to this embodiment depicted in FIG. 8,the illustrated wireless communication device 76, such as a strap orRFID chip that is a separate element in this embodiment prior to foldover, includes a magnetic loop 80. Placement of the magnetic loopelement is such that when fold over is completed, the magnetic loop andwireless communication device 76 fold in toward the center of theantenna 72, positioning the magnetic loop and RFID device or the likeadjacent to the desired coupling position on the antenna. In theillustrated embodiment shown in the drawings, the coupling position isin the vicinity of the closed end 77 of the slot 73 within thelarge-area conductor sheet 74. When desired, the overlamination 75 andfold-over portion 78 can be joined together by any suitable mechanismsuch as heat sealing, sonic welding, lamination or adhesive use in orderto form a sealed edge 81 as illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11, wherein the fold-overportion 78 a is considerably smaller in area than the large-areaconductor sheet 74. The resulting fold-over tab 78 a still performs thefunction of sandwiching the magnetic loop 80 and wireless communicationdevice 76 between the tab and a portion of the area of the conductorsheet 74. In the illustrated arrangement, the tab 78 a secures onto theconductor sheet 74 with no overlamination being shown. When desired thismay be combined with an overlamination element as in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 7. In thisarrangement, the interior of the slot 63 a is shown in a narrowed formwhen compared with that shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 12 shows a laser-cutantenna with an interdigital capacitor 68 to establish initial tuning.Another embodiment is to provide an etched antenna, which can have theadvantage of being more precise in the capacitor section, making thedevice smaller. If desired, this also would allow a somewhat thickerlarge-area conductor sheet.

FIG. 13 is a plot of data generated when testing the robust merchandisetag depicted in FIG. 12. This plot shows sensitivity versus frequencyfor that particular embodiment, showing the sensitivity (gain) versusfrequency of this antenna, which was 47 mm² . This performance testingaveraged −15 dBm sensitivity in the U.S. band. In addition, this showedsigns of a broad band response, not always a characteristic of aslot-loop hybrid (sloop) antenna. Also, the device of FIG. 12 included ahot melt overlaminate and a packaged Hitachi reactively coupled M5 chip.

FIGS. 14 and 14A shows a still further alternate embodiment. For someapplications, it is desirable that the RFID device incorporated into apiece of clothing or other item operates when the item is being worn;for example, in the case of decorative patch on a sport shirt, the tagmay function as an identification of the loyalty of the person wearingit and allow then access to premium services at a sporting venue, suchas discounts on food and drink, access to VIP areas etc. It is knownthat people, due to their structure, being largely compromised of waterand other RF adsorbing materials, interfere with the operation of UHFRFID devices when in proximity, reducing the range. The form of antennaused in the previous embodiments is also able to operate in closeproximity to an additional metallic plane, frequently described as a‘ground plane’. This plane, between the RFID antenna and the surfacethat would be in proximity to the person when a garment is being wornmitigates the effect of the person on the range of the RFID tag.

In FIG. 14 and FIG. 14A one embodiment of the structure 90, describedabove, is shown, although it will be appreciated that any of thestructures previously described can be used to form a surfaceinsensitive tag structure with appropriate design modifications. TheRFID antenna 92 is separated from the conductive plane by a thindielectric layer 93. The dielectric layer may be attached to a substrateby an adhesive layer 94. In this context, thin would described layerless than one percent (1%) of the wavelength of the RFID frequency beingused to interrogate the RFID device, although thicker layers may be usedto give greater performance, but may reduce the wearability of thegarment. The dielectric layer 93 maybe any material that is bothflexible, durable and of a low dielectric constant, defined as a layerwith a relative dielectric constant of less than four (4). Examples ofsuitable materials would be closed cell polypropylene foams, fabrics,treated paper, synthetic paper, meshes of polymer fibers and films suchas PET.

The robust merchandise tags, devices and antennas described herein areparticularly suitable for inclusion into external embellishments orpatches or labels attached to clothing, apparel accessories or bendableitems, same being robust without adding excessive thickness. There is nojoint or connection that can break, and substantial force would beneeded to smash or damage the packaged chip and tag as disclosed hereinso as to make it inoperable. In order to facilitate attachment toclothing and the like, the device can include a series of apertures 44(illustrated in FIG. 3) through the large-area conductor sheet 34without significantly affecting performance. Such apertures, in the caseof a heat-applied patch or tag or label, allow adhesive used such as ahot melt to flow through the antenna, preventing bulges of air pocketsand making the structure more robust. In such an instance, the patch,tag, label or the like bonds directly to the fabric rather than by wayof the structure of the merchandising tag itself. The attachment may bemade by sewing, stitching, plastic fasteners, adhesive or any othersuitable means by which to attach the tag to the garment.

A typical large-area conductor sheet will be made of a material that iselectrically conductive and that is advantageously thin for use as acomponent of a garment or the like. Typically, such materials can beconsidered to be foils of a type generally known in the art. Theconductor sheet needs to be able to withstand multiple bending motionsthat would be encountered during the types of processing and handlingthat is illustrated herein. Alternatively, other forms of conductor canbe used, such as those described as conductive fabrics, made of either aconductive wire mesh or elements such as polymer thread coated withmetal and then woven into an overall conductive structure.

Other embodiments, besides those illustrated herein, may also beemployed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, other means for attaching the device to a garment or otherfabric or otherwise bendable material can be employed, such as sewing,brads or other connection mechanisms. Advantageously, the antennastructure is able robust against the damage caused by operations such assewing into the garment, as the holes created will not causedisconnections of antenna elements as would be the case with prior artdipole type antennas. Further, other configurations of the slot itselfmay be employed, with the proviso that the slot is to be adequatelyprotected by a significantly large area of the conductor sheet except atthe slot open end.

It will be understood that the embodiments described above areillustrative of some of the applications of the principles of thepresent subject matter. Numerous modifications may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theclaimed subject matter, including those combinations of features thatare individually disclosed or claimed herein. For these reasons, thescope hereof is not limited to the above description but is as set forthin the following claims, and it is understood that claims may bedirected to the features hereof, including as combinations of featuresthat are individually disclosed or claimed herein.

1. A robust merchandise tag having a wireless communication device suchas an RFID device and a slot-loop hybrid antenna, the robust tagcomprising: a large-area conductor sheet of electrically conductivematerial having a perimeter edge, an elongated slot of a slot-loophybrid antenna positioned fully within an interior of the conductorsheet except for a slot open end not short-circuited with respect to theconductor sheet; a wireless communication device having a pair ofcontact points electrically coupled to respective parts of the conductorsheet, the points being on opposing sides of the slot at a firstlocation with respect to the slot; a second location of the conductorsheet and slot providing a closed end of the slot; said slot hasgenerally opposing sidewalls defining therebetween an average slotwidth; said large-area conductor sheet extends substantiallyuninterrupted from the slot sidewalls and the slot closed end to theconductive material perimeter edge for a distance greater than theaverage width of the slot; and an overlayer that overlies the entiretyof the wireless communication device and at least a portion of thelarge-area conductor sheet adjacent the wireless communication device.2. The robust tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said firstlocation is at said open end.
 3. The robust tag in accordance with claim1, wherein said first location is along a length of the slot between theopen end and closed end of the slot.
 4. The robust tag in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said first location and said second locationgenerally coincide with each other.
 5. The robust tag in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said distance of the conductor sheet is equal to orgreater than two times the average width of the slot.
 6. The robust tagin accordance with claim 1, wherein said distance of the conductor sheetis equal to or greater than three times the average width of the slot.7. The robust tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said distance ofthe conductor sheet is equal to or greater than four times the averagewidth of the slot.
 8. The robust tag in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid distance of the conductor sheet is equal to or greater than fivetimes the average width of the slot.
 9. The robust tag in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said elongated slot is a non-linear slot.
 10. Therobust tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein said tag is a patch, alabel, a fabric, a garment or combinations thereof.
 11. The robust tagin accordance with claim 1, wherein the overlayer overlies the entiresurface area of the conductor sheet on which the wireless communicationdevice is located.
 12. The robust tag in accordance with claim 1,wherein the overlayer fully encapsulates the large-area conductor sheetand the wireless communication device.
 13. A robust merchandising tagcomprising: a wireless communication device such as an RFID chip; alarge-area conductor sheet having a perimeter edge; a slot-loop hybridantenna having an elongated slot positioned fully within an interior ofthe conductor sheet except for a slot open end not short-circuited withrespect to the conductor sheet; the wireless communication device beingelectrically coupled to the conductor sheet at a first location withrespect to the slot; a second location of the conductor sheet and slotproviding a closed end of the slot; said slot has generally opposingsidewalls defining therebetween an average slot width; said large-areaconductor sheet extends substantially uninterrupted from the slotsidewalls and the slot closed end to the conductive material perimeteredge for a distance greater than the average width of the slot; and anoverlayer that overlies the entirety of the wireless communicationdevice and at least a portion of the large-area conductor sheet adjacentthe wireless communication device.
 14. The robust merchandising tag ofclaim 13, further including a chip capacitor to facilitate tuning of themerchandising tag.
 15. The robust merchandising tag of claim 13, furtherincluding a bridge for tuning the merchandising tag.
 16. The robustmerchandising tag of claim 13, further including a dielectric layerbetween the conductor sheet and the overlayer.
 17. The robustmerchandising tag of claim 16, wherein the dielectric layer is attachedby an adhesive.
 18. The robust merchandising tag of claim 16, whereinthe dielectric layer is selected from a group including foam, adhesive,film or fabric.
 19. A garment having a robust tag secured thereto,comprising: a wireless communication device such as an RFID chip; alarge-area conductor sheet having a perimeter edge; a slot-loop hybridantenna having an elongated slot positioned fully within an interior ofthe conductor sheet except for a slot open end not short-circuited withrespect to the conductor sheet; the wireless communication device beingelectrically coupled to the conductor sheet at a first location withrespect to the slot; a second location of the conductor sheet and slotproviding a closed end of the slot; said slot has generally opposingsidewalls defining therebetween an average slot width; said large-areaconductor sheet extends substantially uninterrupted from the slotsidewalls and the slot closed end to the conductive material perimeteredge for a distance greater than the average width of the slot; anoverlayer that overlies the entirety of the wireless communicationdevice and at least a portion of the large-area conductor sheet adjacentthe wireless communication device; and a fabric component to which therobust tag is secured.
 20. The garment according to claim 15, whereinthe robust tag is a label, patch or decorative element.